KUWAIT CITY, Jan 11, 2026: The Public Prosecution has ordered the remand of 16 accused in custody and the detention of five others pending investigation in connection with a major corruption case involving agricultural holdings allocated between 2017 and 2020.
In a statement, the Public Prosecution said the Attorney General directed the formation of a specialized investigative team to examine a report submitted on January 11, 2026, concerning hundreds of agricultural plots allegedly exploited for illicit gains.
Investigations have uncovered multiple criminal offenses, including trading in public office through bribery, deliberate damage to state property for unlawful material benefit, facilitation of the illegal seizure of government subsidies allocated to agricultural holdings, forgery of official documents, and the subsequent sale of those holdings. The proceeds from these activities were allegedly laundered, constituting money laundering offenses.
The prosecution stressed that the case does not involve isolated incidents or administrative errors, but rather a systematic scheme in which those involved conspired to exploit their official positions for personal gain. The actions allegedly led to the misappropriation of subsidies, diversion of agricultural holdings from their intended purpose, undermining of developmental goals, and harm to the country’s food security.
A total of 21 defendants are under investigation, including former and current senior officials and employees of the Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources, the State Property Administration, and other related entities.
As part of urgent precautionary measures, the Public Prosecution ordered the freezing of the accused persons’ bank accounts, as well as the suspension of financial and real estate transactions linked to the case. Sixteen defendants were remanded in custody in their presence, while five others were detained pending further investigation.
The Public Prosecution affirmed that investigations are ongoing and are being conducted with due regard to the seriousness and scope of the case, while fully respecting legal safeguards, the rights of the defense, and the need to protect public funds and uphold the integrity of public office.
About the Author
